In a situation that necessitated careful reconciliation of two conflicting viewpoints, each equally sincere in its beliefs, Robert Watson and the Faculty Committee bluntly stepped in, raised the hand of the victorious side, and left the two combatants face to face in the ring.

Fortunately, the soccer players appear ready to start over again and build with Munro a team that could create a unity that never existed last year. But the Athletic Administration deserves no credit for the new initiatives.

Regardless of the decision on Munro's coaching status, the soccer crisis required, more than anything else, that a team and its coach meet to redevelop respect for one another. Instead of trying to find common ground for discussion between Munro and the players, Watson encouraged the team to believe it was selecting a new coach. At the same time, Munro was assured by Watson that the players were only troublemakers running around behind Munro's back.

Watson and the Faculty Committee, through its behind-the-scenes tribunal, have only widened the dissention that existed in November, rather than creating mediating procedures to alleviate tensions. Having never heard the testimony, Munro is left suspecting every player of plotting against him. The players, having never received any assurances of improvement, are left with all their grievances and an alienated coach.

The problem with the Faculty Committee review was that it was designed to make a decision rather than reconcile feelings. The investigation created an accused and an accuser. "We were to advise on the coaching decision," Ford said, "not try to reconcile the sides."

But the soccer players are beginning now where Watson should have started. Munro should meet frequently with the players this spring to try and understand their grievances, and he should outline what changes can be made to avoid a reoccurrence of this year's tragedy. The setting is Harvard sports, not Munro's Last Judgment, so both sides should sit down now and sacrifice a piece of their interests for the sake of Harvard soccer next fall.

The idea of a new assistant coach is fraught with perils. A new face on the varsity staff could be viewed by Munro as preparations for a coup. What would be the consequences if the two coaches should disagree on an issue? Talking of a new assistant coach may only be a delaying tactic to a final confrontation of "no's" between team and coach.

But with an optimistic attitude perhaps the differences can be straightened out in face-to-face, candid discussion this spring that would demand compromise from both sides. In that setting, an assistant coach, agreed upon by both parties, could be accepted as a mediating force.

Whatever the final outcome, Watson's decision to "try" the case before the Faculty Committee rather than mediate it has added salt to wounds that must now be healed.